…as 3000 persons get succor during medical rhapsody in Calabar

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

No fewer than 50, 000 patients have been treated annually by Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital in Calabar in the last Seven years of its existence as a tertiary health institution.

The commander of the hospital, Capt. Simon Ocholi made the disclosure in Calabar on Monday during a medical rhapsody to commemorate the 69th years anniversary of the Nigerian Navy

Ocholi revealed that within the last one year alone, a total of 55,614 patients were treated by the hospital that was inaugurated in 2018 by the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration.

The commander of the 150-bed hospital decried power as the major challenge of the hospital.

His words : “In spite of the seeming challenges, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) of the Nigerian Navy will continue to use medical rhapsody as a tool to maintain cordial relationship with the host community.

Declaring the 69th anniversary medical rhapsody open, Flag Officer Commanding (FOC) of the ENC, Rear Admiral Saheed Akinwande said that a strong civil-military relationship is needed to enhance security across the country.

Rear Admiral Akiwande, represented by the Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Danjuma Ndanusa, the FOC said that provisons have been made for no fewer than 2000 patients to be treated free-of-charge as part of the 69th anniversary.

“Nigerian Navy’s week is an annual event celebrated on the 23rd May and 7th June every year.

“It is customary that during the Navy’s week, Naval Medical facilities conduct outreach programs to communities.

“It is customary that during the Navy’s week, Naval Medical Facilities conduct outreach programs to communities within their immediate environment to commemorate the anniversary.

“Another objective of this exercise is to fulfill corporate social responsibility of the Nigerian Navy.

“Medical outreaches play a crucial role in improving public health, particularly in remote communities.
They bring healthcare services to areas where they are otherwise unavailable or insufficient.

“They also provide preventive services such as vaccinations, screening, and health education.

“Furthermore, medical outreaches afford the opportunity of early detection and treatment of illnesses. This helps to build the trust of the communities in national healthcare systems.”

Akinwande concluded that medical outreaches are vital in bridging the gap in healthcare access, promoting public health, and building a robust health system.

Some of the beneficiaries of the medical outreach described it as “life saving as it has also helped them time and cost.

According to them, it afforded some of them the opportunity to get tested and treated for ailment they ordinary could not have bern able to afford if they went to hospitals

On her part , Mrs Comfort Essien said that she was deeply thankful for the Nigerian Navy’s magnanimity as she could not afford thesame services in a hospital while lauding the leadership for remembering the less privileged and low income earners with the kind gesture.

“I am really thankful for the initiator because I could not have afford the treatment I got here today.

For Mr Bassey Bassey, he appealed that the gesture should not just be a one-off thing adding that the Navy should make it a routine as so many lives would be affected positively.

Ends